[VIDEO] Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police accused of brutality - 4 officers suspended

[MenInG]

K-P police tortures, parades man naked on film

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) police tortured and paraded a head waiter of a marriage hall naked, and filmed the entire incident, allegedly after he abused senior police officials in an intoxicated state.

The police officials released the video of the incident on social media, causing an uproar from journalists and human rights activists.

Some likened the K-P police behaviour to the mistreatment by law enforcement personnel in the United States who mistreat the country’s African-American citizens in the same manner.

The rights activist have asked the K-P Chief Minster Mahmood Khan to take notice of the incident and terminate those involved.

Member of the National Assembly Mohsin Dawar said, “Shocked at the way Amir from Tehkaal is being treated by K-P Police. Should verbal irreverence towards Police high-ups be responded with such torture & humiliation?”

According to Peshawar SSP, an investigation was underway but wouldn’t comment without having full knowledge of the issue prior to knowing the issue.

According to reports, friends of the intoxicated head waiter of the marriage hall asked him “what would you do if the police arrived?”

Later, he started abusing ranked officers of the K-P police and was arrested after which he was filmed being paraded nude and tortured.

Following the uproar on social media, K-P police suspended the four police officials involved on the grounds of “gross misconduct”.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2249490/1-k-p-police-tortures-parades-man-naked-film/


<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Have Only Seen Such Brutality Of Indian Soldiers With Kashmiris But Kpk Police Are no less..!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/justiceforamir?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#justiceforamir</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JusticeForAmirTehkaley?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JusticeForAmirTehkaley</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/justiceforamirtahkal?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#justiceforamirtahkal</a> <a href="https://t.co/gZN1CCEl2W">pic.twitter.com/gZN1CCEl2W</a></p>— HasHirقریشی (@DeQureshi) <a href="https://twitter.com/DeQureshi/status/1275740745199235072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2020</a></blockquote>
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[MenInG]

This cannot go unpunished.

 

[Mamoon]

The outcome of 7 years of PTI reforms in KP.

The gift of the never ending tabdeeli scam.

 

[MenInG]

Tweets saying that SHO has been suspended now.

 

[sweep_shot]

Wow!

This is not good.

What did the refugee do though? We need some contexts.

 

[Mamoon]

CM KP must resign.

 

[Mamoon]

Where was the “badmaashi” of KP police when the colonel’s wife was openly abusing and threatening them?

In Naya Pakistan, the law is not the same for a military officer’s wife and a regular citizen.

 

[King-Misbah]

The outcome of 7 years of PTI reforms in KP.

The gift of the never ending tabdeeli scam.

Have you forgotten model town? Seems like your justice is very selective. More then that, the SHO is suspended, this is called change.

 

[Zeshan547]

Suspended, good joke, he will enjoy 6 month free salary at hiome, everything will be forgotten till then, and he will be back, Rinse and repeat. nothing will change.

 

[Mamoon]

Have you forgotten model town? Seems like your justice is very selective. More then that, the SHO is suspended, this is called change.

I do realize that deflection is a reflex reaction for PTI cult-followers, but I am sorry to disappoint you that this has nothing to do with what happened in Model Town and PTI is a self-righteous party that claimed to bring tabdeeli and claimed that it will do things that other parties failed to do.

PTI supporters want to convince you that they are different, but when they fail, they moan that other parties also did the same.

It is a complete joke.

 

[Bewal Express]

CM KP must resign.

Yes, if the culprits are not dealt with. Do you think that Billo should resign and Sindh Police should charge him over the murder of the journalist?

 

[MenInG]

Wow!

This is not good.

What did the refugee do though? We need some contexts.

no proper news reports yet.

 

[Mamoon]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Groundbreaking Police Reforms led by PTI Government and how it delivered on the promise of making KP an ideal province. Documentary Series: Tabdeeli Ka safar 1/2<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AbSirfImranKhan?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AbSirfImranKhan</a> <a href="https://t.co/BKIF5J7tuZ">pic.twitter.com/BKIF5J7tuZ</a></p>— PTI (@PTIofficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/PTIofficial/status/1014894562618368001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 5, 2018</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

)

 

[Abdullah719]

K-P police tortures, parades man naked on film

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) police tortured and paraded a head waiter of a marriage hall naked, and filmed the entire incident, allegedly after he abused senior police officials in an intoxicated state.

The police officials released the video of the incident on social media, causing an uproar from journalists and human rights activists.

Some likened the K-P police behaviour to the mistreatment by law enforcement personnel in the United States who mistreat the country’s African-American citizens in the same manner.

The rights activist have asked the K-P Chief Minster Mahmood Khan to take notice of the incident and terminate those involved.

Member of the National Assembly Mohsin Dawar said, “Shocked at the way Amir from Tehkaal is being treated by K-P Police. Should verbal irreverence towards Police high-ups be responded with such torture & humiliation?”

According to Peshawar SSP, an investigation was underway but wouldn’t comment without having full knowledge of the issue prior to knowing the issue.

According to reports, friends of the intoxicated head waiter of the marriage hall asked him “what would you do if the police arrived?”

Later, he started abusing ranked officers of the K-P police and was arrested after which he was filmed being paraded nude and tortured.

Following the uproar on social media, K-P police suspended the four police officials involved on the grounds of “gross misconduct”.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2249490/1-k-p-police-tortures-parades-man-naked-film/

 

[MenInG]

DERA GHAZI KHAN: The City Police registered a murder case against four police officials, including the sub-inspector of the CIA staff, for killing a man in custody.

Zaryab Khakhil, an employee of the municipal corporation, was picked by the CIA staff of Dera Ghazi Khan police for motorcycle snatching.

On June 23, his body was brought to the teaching hospital of the Ghazi Khan Medical College for postmortem and later the body was handed over to heirs.

Relatives of the deceased staged protest in front of the Chief Minister House in Dera Ghazi Khan against the police and demanded a murder case against the police officials.

District Police Officer Akhtar Farooq told Dawn justice would be extended to heirs in the light of the autopsy report.

Later, a murder case was registered against the four police officials, including sub-inspector of the CIA staff of Dera Ghazi Khan.

A departmental inquiry was also ongoing.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1565015/murder-case-against-four-cops-in-dg-khan-for-death-in-custody

 

[Saj]

My guess is that unfortunately this sort of thing is quite common in Asian countries.

The police officers have to be held accountable for their actions.

 

[MenInG]

A judicial magistrate in Peshawar on Thursday remanded three police officers — allegedly involved in abusing and stripping a man naked — into custody for two days.

The officers were arrested and booked for assault and other charges on Wednesday after a video, showing police personnel in uniform abusing, beating up and forcibly taking off the clothes of a man, circulated on social media.

All three of the police officials, who have been nominated in the first information report, were presented before the magistrate today.

Separately, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Sanaullah Abbasi and Peshawar capital city police officer appeared before the Peshawar High Court, which had taken notice of the matter.

IGP Abbasi told the court that all three policemen, who are nominated in the case, as well as the station house officer of the police station where the incident took place, have been suspended. The police chief further said that Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) Zahoor Afridi has also been suspended for "playing a role" in the incident. The notification of Afridi's suspension was issued late last night.

Before his suspension, Afridi, in a video message, had said the police high command had taken "strict notice" of the incident after the video went viral and promised that the "due course of law" will be followed.

"What is happening IG sahib, what direction are the police going in?" Judge Qaiser Rashid asked the IGP.

"This incident has shaken the foundations of society, have evoked sadness in people," he remarked. He noted that while the "history of police was full of sacrifices" some "black sheep have defamed the entire department".

"Before appointing [someone] as SHO, have them undergo a medical examination to ensure their mental condition is stable," the judge advised, adding: "Do hold an inquiry but don't end up handing a clean chit to your people."

Inquiry to be held
Aide to KP chief minister Ajmal Wazir, in a media briefing, said that the provincial government has decided to constitute an inquiry commission under the West Pakistan Tribunals of Inquiry Ordinance.

The inquiry team, led by a judge, will record the statements of involved parties and turn in the report of its findings within a month. The report will be made public, Wazir said, adding that everyone found responsible by the commission will be punished.

Wazir further said that a first information report had been filed against the SHO as well.

Protests break out

According to the first information report (FIR) of the incident, registered on a police officer's complaint after the video showing the abuse went viral, the victim is a 30-year-old Afghan national who currently resides in Peshawar's Tehkal area. The incident took place at Tehkal Police Station.

The incident apparently occurred a week after the victim uttered profanities against police high-ups, including the inspector general and senior superintendent of police, in a video that was uploaded to social media.

In the video showing the abuse, police personnel can be heard forcing the man to apologise. A third video shot separately shows the man apologising for using abusive language against police officers and saying he will not repeat this. It was not immediately clear why the man had abused police in the first video.

As outrage grew on social media against the abuse directed at the man, police arrested three personnel of Tehkal Police Station, including an assistant sub-inspector and two constables.

Protests continued on Thursday as people gathered outside the KP Assembly demanding justice for the victim. In order to disperse the protesters, who were mainly peaceful, police used tear gas and beat demonstrators with batons.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1565147/p...rture-remanded-into-police-custody-for-2-days

 

[MenInG]

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari on Thursday reaffirmed that the government was committed to eliminating the inhumane practice of torture.

In her message the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture which is marked on June 26 she said: “We are actively working towards strengthening legislation to effectively criminalise the practice which violates our Constitution as well as our international commitments.

“We also recognise the pervasive issue of the culture of police abuse, and are cognizant of the need for comprehensive police reforms to put an end to torture and extrajudicial killings. In this regard, the Ministry of Human Rights has initiated several sensitisation and awareness sessions with the police on a range of human rights related issues including respecting the rights of women, children and transgender persons.”

Pakistan has ratified UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) - both of which prohibit torture and other acts of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.

She added: “The ministry is dedicated to establishing human rights at the centre of our criminal justice system. Last year, we worked on reforming and streamlining the mercy petition process for prisoners on death row. Critically, in January 2019, our ministry also submitted a draft bill to the Ministry of Law and Justice to criminalise enforced disappearances through an amendment in the Pakistan Penal Code. While the process of legislative and cultural reform is gradual, we are taking concrete steps towards ending the culture of impunity for these crimes.”

Minister Mazari also raised the issue of Kashmiris in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir by Indian occupation forces, particularly with regards to the cruel treatment of women and the youth in custody.

“The Kashmiri population has been drowning under a wave of systematic torture and oppression, which has been aggravated since Hindutva Supremacist Modi government enforced a lockdown in IOJK and illegally annexed the disputed IOJK territory against all international law and especially the Fourth Geneva Convention, which regards such an action as a war crime. The systematic or widespread practice of torture constitutes a crime against humanity and cannot be justified under any circumstances, according to all relevant instruments.”

Federal Secretary for Human Rights Rabiya Javeri Agha also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting the rights of individuals, especially marginalised groups that are particularly vulnerable to abuse.

“We recognise the gaps in terms of our national legislation and criminal code and are working towards overcoming them.” Ms Agha spoke about the institutional capacity building measures that her ministry was undertaking to improve compliance to international conventions.

“The Ministry of Human Rights is working towards strengthening international reporting through the establishment of a National Mechanism for Reporting and Follow up NMRF. We are also midway in setting up a Human Rights Information Management System (HRIMS). Through nationwide consultations, human rights indicators have been developed and made a part of our national data collection system. These steps will enable the government and civil society to effectively and empirically track human rights situations in our country”.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1565176/govt-committed-to-eliminating-torture-in-custody-minister

 

[MenInG]

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court Thursday took notice of the inhumane torture of a young man in police custody, directing the Inspector-General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to hold an impartial inquiry into the matter.

Justice Qaisar Rasheed in his remarks said that the KP police had a rich history when it came to sacrifices in the war against terror. However, the reputation of the entire department was being tarnished due to a few black sheep.

The honourable judge told the IGP that the humiliation of the young man at the hands of some police officials had shaken our society and deeply shocked the nation. “What are you doing and in which direction is your department moving?” he asked the police chief.

The bench comprising Justice Qaisar Rasheed and Ijaz Anwar heard the case pertaining to the video in which some of the police officials of Tehkal Police Station were seen torturing and disgracing a man named Aamir Tehkalay and also filming the incident.

The video went viral on social media and triggered protests, caused sparked widespread anger and condemnation from members of the civil society and people in general.

IGP Sanaullah told the court the SHO and police officials involved in the incident had been suspended and also SSP Peshawar removed from his office.

The police chief expressed deep concern over the incident and assured the court that an impartial inquiry would be conducted and those found involved in the incident would be awarded an exemplary punishment.

KP Bar Council condemns torture episode
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council condemned the torturing and humiliation of the young man and termed it a flagrant violation of the human rights, law and Constitution.

In a statement, the Vice-Chairman of the KP Bar Council, Shahid Raza Malik, announced that the lawyer fraternity would boycott the courts on Friday to condemn the incident. He demanded a judicial inquiry into the incident.

Meanwhile, Judicial Magistrate Farooq Shah remanded the three police officials involved in the brutal torture of the young man, in the FIA's custody of the Tehkal Police Station.

https://www.geo.tv/latest/294925-phc-takes-notice-of-young-mans-torture-in-viral-video

 

[Abdullah719]

Protesters surround Tehkal Police Station in Peshawar amid outcry over police brutality

Protests erupted in Peshawar on Friday for a second consecutive day as citizens took to the streets against police brutality, days after a video surfaced on social media showing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police abusing and stripping a man naked while filming the ordeal.

A large number of protesters gathered outside Tehkal Police Station — where the incident took place — shouting slogans against officials and attacked the main gate by pelting it with stones. The protesters also caused damage to CCTV cameras in the vicinity and set a motorcycle alight.

Speaking to Dawn.com, SP Saddar Circle A S Khalid said that the situation was brought under control shortly after protesters gathered.

"Some youngsters were trying to disturb law and order," he said. Officials used tear gas to disperse the protesters, who were later spotted rinsing their eyes and face with water.

"We are protesting to demand justice for the victim," said 20-year-old Ahmed Khan.

Spoiler

Protesters also gathered outside the provincial assembly's building and staged a demonstration against police torture. Officials used tear gas to disperse the protesters.

SP Khalid added that a separate protest was also held outside Town Police Station, in which a large number of workers from different political parties participated. The protest was peaceful, he said, adding that officials were there to control the situation.

On Wednesday, three policemen were arrested and booked for assault and other charges after a video showing them abusing and stripping a man — identified as a 30-year-old Afghan national who currently resides in Peshawar's Tehkal area.

The incident apparently occurred a week after the victim uttered profanities against police high-ups, including the inspector general and senior superintendent of police, in a video that was uploaded to social media.

In the video showing the abuse, police personnel were heard forcing the man to apologise. A third video shot separately showed the man apologising for using abusive language against police officers and saying he will not repeat this.

The next day, hundreds of protesters, mostly from Tehkal area, took to the streets.

Protesters gathered in front of the Peshawar Press Club building and blocked the Sher Shah Suri Road, burned old tyres and shouted slogans against police brutality. Later, some of them walked to Surey Pul Chowk in front of the provincial assembly’s building, where they were joined by a large group of protesters from Tehkal area.

There followed clashes between the police and protesters. The police used tear gas and baton charge to disperse the mob, while the protesters retaliated by throwing stones.

Following public outrage, the provincial government announced the holding of a probe into the incident through a Peshawar High Court judge.

Adviser to KP CM Ajmal Wazir said a judge would be notified for the probe in consultation with the high court’s chief justice.

“The probe will be completed within a fortnight, while its report will be made public within a month. The government will not spare anyone responsible for the incident,” he said.

Ajmal said four police officials, including the station house officer of Tehkal area, had been suspended before three of them were arrested, while an FIR had been registered against SHO as well.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1565342/p...in-peshawar-amid-outcry-over-police-brutality

 

[MenInG]

PESHAWAR: The police have arrested 30 people for rioting during the ongoing protests over the stripping and torture of an accused in the police custody.

The protests continued for the second day on Friday as the police and mobs clashed in different parts of the provincial city.

A large number of protesters gathered near the Peshawar Press Club on the Sher Shah Suri Road and tried to attack a police mobile van.

Some armed protesters fired bullets into the air. The mob later went to the Surey Pul Chowk, where they clashed with the riot police.

The protesters pelted the police with bricks, while the police used teargas shells to disperse the mob.

The Khyber Road remained closed to traffic during clashes.

Police, mobs clash in parts of Peshawar

In the afternoon, around 150 protesters tried to attack the Tehkal police station, where the incident of stripping and torture had taken place.

The protesters torched a motorcycle and threw stone at the police station and mob dispersed after being teargassed by the police.

An official said the closed-circuit television cameras of the police station were also damaged by the mob.

A statement issued here quoted city police chief Mohammad Ali Gandapur as saying that the police had arrested 30 rioters and some of them were armed.

He said majority of those held were the local residents, while some were Afghan nationals.

Mr Gandapur said the police were working to identify those involved in rioting and pelting of stones.

“More people will be arrested after identification process is complete,” he said.

Mr Gandapur said the police had shown the maximum restraint during protests but they won’t allow anyone to engage in rioting and damage public and private properties.

In Malakand region, activists of the Jamaat-i-Islami protested the incident of custodial torture.

Carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans against the Tehkal police, the protesters condemned the police’s brutality.

On the call of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Bar Council, lawyers boycotted courts across the province to record their protest over custodial torture.

Also on Friday, the home department formally requested the Peshawar High Court to nominate a judge for a single-member judicial commission to investigate the Tahkal police’s brutality against an accused.

Adviser to chief minister on information Ajmal Khan Wazir said the government had sent a letter to the Peshawar High Court for the nomination of a judge for the judicial commission to probe the Tahkal incident.

Mr Wazir told reporters here that the judicial commission would identify those responsible for the incident and that they would be tried in accordance with the law.

He said the government would make the inquiry report public.

The adviser said the government took action against the police personnel soon after the torture video went viral on social media.

He said on the directions of the chief minister, four police personnel, including the relevant SHO, were suspended, while an FIR was lodged against them.

Mr Wazir said the Peshawar SSP (operations) was also removed from his post.

“The misconduct and wrongdoings of few personnel, the whole police department should not be blamed. The police force has given sacrifices in the war against terrorism, while they are also serving on the front line against the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.

Meanwhile, Afghan ambassador Shukrullah Atif Mashal met provincial police chief Dr Sanaullah Abbasi at the central police offices here.

A statement issued here said the ambassador discussed the Tehkal issue with the police chief.

Dr Abbasi informed the diplomat about the prompt action taken by the police on the incident and said the culpable personnel were suspended and were taken into custody.

He said justice would be done in the case at all costs and that the due punishment would be given to the culprits.

The Afghan counsel general in Peshawar had met the KP police chief on Thursday. Radiullah alias Amirae, who was tortured in the police custody, is an Afghan national and therefore, the Afghan diplomatic mission in Pakistan is pursuing the case.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1565455/30-held-as-protests-against-custodial-torture-continue

 

[Abdullah719]

Four victims record statements in K-P police torture case

PESHAWAR: As many as four witnesses recorded their statements before a judicial commission in the Rafiullah alias Amir Tehkal’s, torture case on Tuesday.

The victim, Rafiullah, also recorded his statement before the single-member commission, headed by Peshawar High Court (PHC) Justice Lal Jan Khattak. The other witnesses which appeared before the commission were identified as Jehanzeb Khan, Attaullah, Bilal and Shafiq.

The provincial government had ordered a judicial inquiry into the alleged torture and abuse of Rafiullah alias Amir of Tehkal by police officers of the provincial capital for badmouthing the police force.

The Tehkal and Yakatoot police station SHOs and other personnel had allegedly tortured Rafiullah during his unlawful detention after he was arrested for allegedly possessing drugs.

The victim was then filmed as he was stripped of his clothes. In a video allegedly released by the police, he was paraded naked.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2253839/four-victims-record-statements-in-k-p-police-torture-case

 

[MenInG]

PESHAWAR: A single-member judicial commission probing the stripping and torturing of an Afghan citizen in custody on Friday recorded the statements of two police constables.

Justice Lal Jan Khattak adjourned the panel’s proceedings until today (Saturday) after recording the statements of Rehmat Khan and Mohammad Israr posted to the Tehkal police station.

The government had formed the commission after consulting the Peshawar High Court’s chief justice on June 29.

The commission has so far recorded the statements of 28 people, including torture victim Radiullah alias Amirey.

The FIR of the incident was registered at the Tehkal police station on June 24 after video clips of the police torturing and stripping Radiullah went viral on social media causing a public outcry.

According to spokesperson for the commission Syed Hassan Raza Shah, a consultative meeting was held wherein the commission sought suggestions and recommendations from participants in light of the terms of reference of the Inquiry.

The participants included senior lawyer from Swabi Mian Sher Akber, additional inspector general of police (headquarters) Ishtiaq Marwat, deputy inspector general (headquarters) Salman Chaudhry, DIG (training) Imtiaz Shah and SSP (investigation) Nausher Khan.

The commission’s terms of reference said it might inquire into and determine root causes and facts of the incidents.

The panel will also fix responsibility for the incident, determine institutional lacunas in the system leading to custodial torture, and make recommendations to prevent such incidents in future.

Initially, police constables Zairullah, Naeem and Tauseef were held and named in the FIR over the torture.

Later, SHOs Imran and Sheharyar were also suspended and arrested.

Radiullah was picked up allegedly by the police after a video showing him use abusive language against them surfaced. He was taken into custody, severely tortured and stripped in revenge.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1569631/two-kp-policemen-appear-before-torture-probe-panel